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Very Good

#848 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 32% in state

Madison Early College High

High School · Madison County Schools

5734 US 25/70 Hwy, Marshall, NC 28753

Enrollment

274

Student-Teacher

27.4:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – UG

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Marshall

#2 of 4

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#50 of 579

In district

#2 of 6

Madison County Schools

Equity

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Madison Early College High

Madison Early College High serves 274 students in grades 9 through undergraduate in Marshall, North Carolina, offering a unique educational pathway that extends beyond traditional high school. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 27.4:1 student-teacher ratio while achieving impressive academic results. The school earns a strong 7.9 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #367 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide.

Students demonstrate exceptional academic performance, with 89% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 82% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. These scores reflect the school's academic score of 9.3 out of 10. The early college model allows students to begin earning college credits while completing their high school education, providing an accelerated pathway to higher education.

This innovative approach serves students well in preparing them for post-secondary success. Madison Early College High is situated in Madison County's rural landscape along US 25/70 Highway, serving a community where the median household income is $57,738 and 31% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school provides educational opportunities in this scenic mountain region of western North Carolina, where families enjoy a poverty rate of just 11.2% and median home values of $212,700.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Madison Early College High is 27.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Madison Early College High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency89.1%
Math vs. State Avg+28.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+35.5 pts
Overall Proficiency87%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+41.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,773

Madison Early College High — Students at Madison Early College High score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.9%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 80.6%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 5 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
84.5%
2025
Math
84.6%
ELA
89.1%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.

How Madison Early College High Compares

See how Madison Early College High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
68th percentile in NC
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

5734 US 25/70 Hwy, Marshall, NC 28753

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Madison Early College High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Madison High School (rated 6.4/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is North Buncombe High (rated 5.7/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Weaverville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Erwin High (rated 3.8/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Asheville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Marshall, see our Marshall schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Madison High School Marshall 0.1 mi 6.4
Madison Velocity Learning Center Marshall 0.1 mi
Brush Creek Elementary Marshall 2.8 mi 4.7
Madison Middle School Marshall 2.9 mi 7.8
CHANGING HEARTS BOARDING SCHOOL Marshall 3.7 mi
Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill 7.0 mi 5.7
North Buncombe Elementary Weaverville 7.7 mi 8.0
North Buncombe High Weaverville 8.4 mi 5.7
North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville 9.3 mi 7.0
North Buncombe Middle Weaverville 9.5 mi 7.3
Leicester Elementary Leicester 11.0 mi 7.3
Weaverville Primary Weaverville 10.5 mi 7.0
Weaverville Elementary Weaverville 10.7 mi 7.7
Hot Springs Elementary Hot Springs 10.3 mi 5.7
ASHEVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 11.8 mi
TIMBERSONG ACADEMY Weaverville 10.5 mi
WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill 12.0 mi
REYNOLDS MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADENY Asheville 12.8 mi 7.2
FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-BOYS Asheville 13.2 mi 6.1
Erwin High Asheville 13.8 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28753 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,172

Median Home Value

$246,700

Median Rent

$711/mo

Population

9,778

College Educated

31.4%

Homeownership

80.8%

Avg Commute

35.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Madison Early College High has a median household income of $56,172. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $246,700, with a median rent of $711/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington, NC 7.3
PCS Early College High School Greenville, NC 7.3
Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early Coll Concord, NC 7.2
Craven Early College High New Bern, NC 7.2
Richmond Early College High Hamlet, NC 7.2
Stanly Early College High Albemarle, NC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Madison Early College High

What grades does Madison Early College High serve?

Madison Early College High serves students in grades 9th through UG.

How many students attend Madison Early College High?

Madison Early College High has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Madison Early College High?

The student-teacher ratio at Madison Early College High is 27.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Madison Early College High rank in NC?

Madison Early College High is ranked #848 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Madison Early College High's MySchoolScout rating?

Madison Early College High has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Madison Early College High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Madison Early College High has 77.9% math proficiency and 80.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Madison Early College High a charter school?

No, Madison Early College High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Madison Early College High a Title I school?

No, Madison Early College High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Madison Early College High?

98.9% of students at Madison Early College High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (328/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Madison County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Madison County Schools
District Enrollment
2,130
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,167
District Rank
#2 of 6

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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